Definition of avidnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word avid distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of avid are anxious, athirst, eager, and keen. While all these words mean "moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest," avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed.

avid for new thrills

When might anxious be a better fit than avid?

Although the words anxious and avid have much in common, anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment.

anxious not to make a social blunder

Where would athirst be a reasonable alternative to avid?

The meanings of athirst and avid largely overlap; however, athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action.

athirst for adventure

When could eager be used to replace avid?

While in some cases nearly identical to avid, eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint.

eager to get started

When is it sensible to use keen instead of avid?

The synonyms keen and avid are sometimes interchangeable, but keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action.

keen on the latest fashions

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of avid For avid politicos, there have been so many prime ministerial resignations over the last few years that some Downing Street staff have become like fan-favorite, recurring characters in a TV show. Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 July 2026 May, an avid poet and gamer, had been struggling and increasingly withdrawn. Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 18 July 2026 An avid traveler and diner, Avery Smith knows the most mouthwatering meals can come from unexpected places — like the counter at a gas station. Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026 An avid fantasy player who plays in three or four leagues per year, Sunday had noticed a pattern of Miller actively promoting registrations for leagues and then failing to engage in league matters. Alex Andrejev, New York Times, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for avid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avid
Adjective
  • If her dialogue sometimes seems too eager to articulate the screenwriters’ own ethical arguments, that’s a small price to pay for a thriller so committed to exploring the impressive reach of violence.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
  • During the interview, Hudson said that Wells was eager to celebrate the holiday on the island.
    Adam England, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
Adjective
  • Her voice was earnest and corporate, a mom enthusiastic about YouTube creators and new product features.
    Claire Stapleton, New Yorker, 18 July 2026
  • So even then, one extreme was mildly favorable, the other wildly enthusiastic.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 18 July 2026
Adjective
  • Several of my prior assumptions were upended right from the start of the piece—including the idea that the reclining wars are all just the greedy airlines’ fault.
    Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
  • Willem Dafoe costars as a former vampire nicknamed Elvis who leads a resistance against the greedy, capitalist vampire upper class — a good indication of the film’s campy tone.
    Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
Adjective
  • Nguyen was excited to enjoy a warm summer outdoors before the smoke left her hesitant to step outside for her routine runs to the National Mall and daily walks with her dog.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • McKeon was excited to explore her chemistry with executive producer Gina Wendkos, who worked on the show alongside Tom Palmer, Jonathan Axelrod, James Widdoes and Amy Sherman-Palladino.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
Adjective
  • But there is no doubt that switching allegiances can be far more than mercenary.
    Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 10 July 2026
  • Three years later, Fox commands his dad's mercenary band against Andross.
    James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • An ardent advocate for diversity, Kurner was at the forefront of a major renovation of the building in 2022.
    David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2026
  • Amid the joy and ardent support, there have also been some concerning events.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Adjective
  • Played by a Colman Domingo who is done up to look the most wax figurine of them all in a shellacking of makeup, prosthetics, and colored contacts, Joe is always either giving an avaricious open-mouthed leer or a cold-eyed glare.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
  • There’s a quasi-heist theme to The Christophers, which revolves around an acclaimed artist (McKellen), who has long since stopped making new work, and his avaricious children (Gunning and Corden) who try to enlist Coel to complete some of their dad’s unfinished paintings.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • It’s been understood for years that America’s adversaries and allies alike take a keen interest in how this country practices an imperfect democracy.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 17 July 2026
  • The youth ranks are being bolstered, too, with sporting director Ross Wilson keen to keep boosting the quality at the academy.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Cite this Entry

“Avid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avid. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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